Durham City Council backs Amazon workers' right to organize after amending accusatory language; vote 6-1

The Durham City Council on June 2, 2025, adopted a resolution supporting the right of Amazon employees to organize by a 6-1 vote after deliberations over whether to include language in the resolution that stated Amazon "has been accused" of retaliatory conduct.

Council members praised the resolution’s central purpose—endorsing workers’ ability to organize and form unions—but several members expressed concern that repeating allegations about a private employer in a resolution bearing the city’s official seal could expose the city to criticism or legal risk. One councilor asked that the resolution be reframed to condemn retaliatory conduct rather than restate press allegations as fact. The council adopted that change before voting.

The revised language adopted by the council reads, in effect, that the city “reproves actions of retaliation against organizing initiatives” and affirms the city’s support for the right of workers to organize. The final motion adopting the resolution passed 6-1; the public record shows Councilor Baker voted no.

Speakers, including members of the Durham Workers’ Rights/Workers’ Commission, attended the meeting to show support for the resolution. Council members said the amended wording preserves the resolution’s intent—support for unionization—while removing the line that some members characterized as an unvetted allegation.

The resolution will be entered into the official minutes; the city clerk and the council’s records will reflect the amended language as the adopted version.